All of these process used interchangeably and fall under the "Electro-Chemical Metal Marking" applications.

Since 1943, when electrolytic etching was first introduced to the metal working industries, continual research and development have progressed. Today, very economical equipment etches from one ten-thousandth of an inch deep (.0001) for feeler and plug gauges to ten thousandths of an inch deep (.010) for aircraft landing gear components and aerospace hardware, which require positive traceability throughout the life of the part.

Surgical and dental instruments can now be etched and identified without causing stress to extremely thin wall areas. This same principle is now used for hundreds of other identification purposes where products were previously labeled, ink or steel stamped...or not identified at all.

Econimical, simple, fast and safe best describes Electro-Chemical Marking. The single constraint to this process is that it must be applied to electrically conductive metal surfaces. It will not function on painted metal, already anodized aluminum or through certain heavy phosphate coatings. However, by deep etching the parts (.002-.006) prior to any of these non-conductive coatings, the marking shows through very legibly.

Bare Metals, both ferrous (steel alloys) and non-ferrous (aluminum, brass, bronze and copper) and plated metals (chrome, nickel, cadmium and zinc) mark extremely well because they are conductive.